Revenue officer who tried to cheat businessman out of Dh100,000 has jail term cut

Offender was caught out by police sting after seeking bribe

A revenue officer who tried to coerce a company owner into offering him a Dh100,000 bribe in return for reducing a fine has had his jail term cut.

The 28-year-old trickster, who worked at Emirates Post Office in Dubai, told the businessman that his firm had been fined Dh2.4 million for manipulating its finances.

He told the man he could reduce the fine to Dh400,000 in exchange for a Dh100,000 payment.

But the 43-year-old Indian, knowing there were no irregularities, instead contacted police.

It was found that no fine had been imposed on the company.

The incident took place last May.

The Jordanian defendant was convicted of seeking bribes at Dubai Criminal Court last October and handed a one-year prison term and a Dh100,000 fine.

The sentence was reduced to three months on appeal, but he must still pay the full amount of the fine.

The target of the bribe attempt said he had never met the man before.

“The accused told me that he checked our books and discovered irregularities and that we have been concealing some shipments in order to avoid fee payments,” said the owner.

A sting operation was set up, with the owner wearing a wire and bringing Dh100,000 in marked notes provided by police for an agreed meeting with the guilty party.

Police watched on the transaction took place and arrested the man.

The offender will be deported once he has served his prison sentence.